Resilient Homes Challenge

Resilient Homes Challenge

Our culturally-sensitive, readily-adaptable home provides residents with physical and psychological comfort before, during and after natural disasters occur. Designed to maximize structural stability yet minimize energy and water usage, it is built with local components that promote ease of assembly, leave space for creative expansion and foster ownership by way of customization. These materials and their integration support local manufacturers and tradesmen, and the simplicity of their assembly encourages homeowners and neighbors to work together on the construction of their neighborhood.

BUILDING COMPONENTS AXONOMETRIC

Regional materials and methods enable the structure’s cost effectiveness. Familiar concrete and wood building systems simplify construction, minimize detailing, and foster labor force expansion and development. Repetitive modular units that are light, manageable, and based on standard dimensions reduce labor costs and minimize needs for specialized equipment. Minimal finishes and exposed infrastructure lower maintenance and repair costs. When executed with owner-driven construction and community participation, the home helps to create and strengthen local economies.

FLOOR PLAN

The floor plan’s simple rectangular geometry, symmetrical organization around a central core, and shear walls exceed code-compliance to guarantee its resistance to both gravity and lateral loads.

SUGGESTED EXPANSION VISUALIZATION

Since the SCIPs easily integrates with other construction systems, these improvements can be done in traditional cast-in-place reinforced concrete, CMU, steel SCIP or wood. These options provide economic and logistical fexibility to the owner. We designed this structure with the aim of teaching resilient construction techniques and facilitating community-building for those involved in its construction process. These lasting skills and relationships will foster a culture in which resilient development is both standard and expected.

SUGGESTED EXPANSION SCHEMES

The range of options showcase
horizontal, vertical and bidirectional
(horizontal and vertical) growth. All
suggested schemes adhere to the same
resilience criteria as the base design of the
home.

LONGITUDINAL SECTION

TRANSVERSE SECTION

Resiliency extends beyond the house to site-wide systems for food and water management. Canopied trees and rain garden breezes provide shading and cool the home, while the rain garden also collects excess water for reuse and helps prevent flooding. Fruit trees populate the sunnier south side, while storm-resistant tubers are located to the north. Our design prioritizes species that support each other and repel insects, minimizing the need for intensive maintenance and pesticides.

NORTH FACADE

SOUTH FACADE

WOOD SHUTTER AXON

All connections within the reinforced wood structure are made with hurricane straps and bolts. On the floor slab, the reinforced wood is anchored with lag bolts every 40.6 cm. Within the walls, the proposed distance between wooden studs is 20.32 cm, which exceeds the
required separation distance of 60.96 cm. Over each opening, a permanent shutter/ cover can be operated easily with lift support struts. The closing system for the shutters consists of a rope tied to an eyebolt.